Dunfermline Athletic

Stephen Kenny Post Morton

Saturday, 11th Aug 2007

"Players will have to get used to playing against 4-5-1, that's a reality. We have to be better than we were because we didn't open Morton up enough.

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"It is a poor start, a disappointing performance today. We had a lot of possession but lacked a cutting edge in our play and just didn't create - the chances we created were minimal. If we look at every team since I have taken over, even against the top teams last year I can't remember us creating so few chances.

"We only really had some half chances in the game. We have allowed teams to play 4-5-1 and negate us. We should have more creative instincts, we have enough creative players on the pitch to create more chances but we didn't do that. We couldn't get behind their back four, they defended well and firm and dealt with everything. But it wasn't good enough from our point of view, it was unacceptable really."

Asked if he felt Dunfermline were missing players like Adam Hammill and Jim O'Brien, the Manager replied:-

"That is no excuse we have enough good players to break down Morton today. We weren't sharp enough and took too many touches. We need to improve.

"Players will have to get used to playing against 4-5-1, that's a reality. We have to be better than we were because we didn't open Morton up enough. OK Morton didn't really have too many chances either nevertheless the onus is on the home team. There was a bit of expectation and when we went a goal down we should have shown a bit more creation.

"We ran out of ideas at times. Stephen Simmons came on and got beyond their back four a couple times and looked like he was going to get in and score but no matter what combination up front we didn't get any joy out of their centre halves.

"I am not going to complain about nothing going our way because you have to make it happen. The red card was a nothing challenge, that's crazy I don't think that was a red card by any stretch of the imagination."

Is there a problem with attitude?

"No I think it is just that Morton sussed it out, they had a game plan and to a certain degree it worked. We had probably 70 to 75 per cent possession, we moved the ball left to right and right to left but not at a pace that we need to do to switch the play. There were too many touches and predictable giving Morton the opportunity to close us down. They worked very hard to close us down. They got their goal and they hung on to it. They tried to hit us on the break again and that is the way to do it.

"It is up to us, we are more than capable of being more creative but we just didn't do it."

With Europe coming next on Thursday the Manager continued:-

"We need to get our finger out now and make sure we pick it up. We have to do better, it is as simple as that."

Craig Robertson was over in Sweden last weekend watching BK H?cken and he will be returning to watch their match on Monday evening at home against Landskrona BoIS.

Scott Wilson might be available for Thursday following a calf strain he picked up in the Manchester United game:-

"That game probably didn't help us but that is no excuse, we lost the game. He tweaked a calf in that game."

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Morton Manager Jim McInally was pleased to leave East End Park with three points:-

"To be fair up until we scored the game was even enough. After we scored we went right out of the game and we said to the players at half time there's no way that you can keep letting them come on top of you like that in the second half.

"They kept their discipline well in the second half and we were disappointed not to get another goal because we were worthy of scoring maybe another couple in the second half.

"We had good chances to put the game away. All credit to the players, Jay Shields was stuck in traffic at the Forth Road Bridge and we had to change it at the last minute. The big boy Brian Graham came in and did very well.

"To be fair to Dunfermline, we have had three years of this, having to win every game and know the pressure that they would be under especially after losing last week. We knew that the crowd would run out of patience with them pretty quickly because we have been there. You have to be big and stand up and take it. Our players did that last year and Dunfermline are going to find a lot of games like that this year. They are going to have to ignore the crowd and just get on with it.

"In this league everybody will expect them to turn everybody over. Everybody will come and be organised, it becomes a different pressure of football.

"We said to the players before the game 'if it was a Scottish Cup tie, they would fancy themselves' but they have to do it week in week out.

"I thought Stephen Glass's first booking was ridiculous, it was a case of a slidy park - he had already gone to ground and he couldn't do anything trip the boy up. Both the linesman and referee didn't see the goalkeeper saving our boy's shot (McAlister) but that's life.  I am not going to criticise officials because I have never done it and I am not going to do it now.  I had enough when I played."

Match Report: 11/08/07 Dunfermline 0 Morton 1

 



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